Late last night (November 5), World's 50 Best Bars announced the much anticipated 2020 list on its website. As highly expected, Mandarin Oriental's The Bamboo Bar appears at number 35 on the list, becoming the first and only watering hole in Bangkok and Thailand in the top 50 since 2009 when the list was primarily published.
The Bamboo Bar is a long-standing, 70-year-old jazz bar nestled on the ground level of the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel in Soi Charoenkrung 40. The current mastermind behind the bar is British mixologist Jamie Rhind, whose excellently-concocted cocktails reflect the culinary culture of Thailand. The bar made its debut on the list in 2018 at number 55.
Elsewhere outside the top 50, Bangkok's Vesper and Rabbit Hole both receive a nod for the first time from the listmaker, earning the place at number 62 and number 76, respectively.
Big congratulations also go to Connaught Bar in London that finally snatches the top spot this year after being blocked by New York's Dante last year. In the meantime, Singapore's Atlas has become the highest-ranking bar in Asia with its spot on number 4.
Standing ovations to Bamboo Bar and everyone on the list. Long live tipsiness!